Special Top Belgian companies focused on export

THE WOODWORK INDUSTRY IN FIGURES

PARQUET FLOOR SECTOR HAS NOT COMPLETELY RECOVERED FROM THE DECLINE EARLY IN 2020

How is the Belgian woodwork industry doing? To answer that question, we called on Fedustria, the professional association of companies from the textile, wood, and furniture industries. Filip De Jaeger, deputy director general, examines the main figures from 2021 with us and summarises developments since the start of 2022 for us.

Turnover

Before we listen to Mr De Jaeger, we mention that in 2021 the woodwork industry numbered exactly 377 companies, which together employed 7751 people. Turnover was four billion euros.

‘Turnover in the woodwork industry rose by 30.3% in 2021 as compared to 2020, but we should point out that the volume fell by 5.1 %,’ he says. ‘Also during the first quarter of 2022, turnover rose considerably by 27.3%. However, in view of the spectacular rise of 42% in the output price, turnover fell by 10.4% in volume as compared to the first quarter of 2021.’

‘Panels, construction elements, and packages have enjoyed an increase in turnover in value, but a fall in volume due to the sharp rise in output prices. It’s only with other woodwork where the rise in output prices has stayed within limits that there’s been an increase in turnover for both the value and the volume. Generally speaking, you can say that France, the Netherlands, and Germany are still our main markets. In the area of import, China is still the main supplier.’

Investments and utilisation rates

‘Still at the start of 2022, we’ve established that investments came to 53.9 million euros, which is good for an increase of 72.8% as compared to the first quarter of 2021. A year earlier, in 2021, investments in the wood industry also rose by 42% as compared to 2020.’ ‘Furthermore, the utilisation rate of the production capacity was 82.9 % during the first half of 2022. One year earlier, in 2021, this was still 88.8%, which therefore means that there has been a sharp fall during the first half of 2022. Exports during the first five months of 2022 rose by 27.9% as compared to the same period in 2021 and imports during the same period increased by 24.1% as compared to the same period in 2021.’

Turnover in parquet floors has fallen

At the same time, we were also given a summary of the turnover of wooden construction elements from 2019 to mid-2022 and it emerged that there were various deductions to be made for the parquet sector. The turnover of the sector as a whole rose quite sharply in 2021 (with the exception of a dip in 2020, from 935.9 million euros in 2019 to 913.0 million euros in 2020. Turnover 2021: 1124.9 million euros) and this continued during the first six months of 2022 (577.2 million euros in 2022 as compared to 554.1 during the same period in 2021, what comes to a rise of 4.2%.

The parquet sector figures deviate somewhat from this trend. Whilst in 2019 turnover was still 23.4 million euros, we notice firstly in 2020 a much sharper fall than elsewhere to 17.3% (or a shrinkage of 26.1%). However, after that, there was merely a slight recovery with a turnover of 20.2 million euros in 2021. That is 16.8% better than in the previous year, but still well below the reference year of 2019. Yet the general turnover in wooden construction elements in that year rose gently as compared to the year before. During the first six months of 2022, there was a slight improvement. This period saw a turnover of 10.9 million euros as compared to 9.8% in the first six months of 2021.

B-FIX

B-Fix can present nearly 20 years of experience in invisible fastening systems for terraces and planks and accompanying accessories. B-Fix is the fruit of years of expertise in fitting wooden terraces and outdoor woodwork in general. The most important product is the B-Fix invisible fastening system, a universal system deployed for a whole range of wood sorts and composites. The company steers a consistent course thanks to product innovations and expansion into new markets. B-Fix employs six people on the payroll, but, apart from them, several other people are involved in the activities. The sheltered workshop, which concentrates on packing, is an integral part of the projects. Each year, the company completes several hundred thousands of square metres and the capacity leaves room for growth. Innovation is an ongoing concern. B-Fix will by the way launch a revolutionary product at the beginning of 2023. +32 (0) 10 40 07 90 - info@b-fix.be - www.b-fix.be

VANDECASTEELE HOUTIMPORT

FORWARD The Belgian fifth-generation family company, founded in 1883 Vandecasteele Houtimport specialises in the import, trading and export of Tropical Hardwood from Africa, Southeast Asia and South America, Scandinavian and North-American Softwood, North American and European Hardwood. “Vandecasteele Houtimport is fully committed to certified timber” says Isabelle Polfliet, Compliance Manager at Vandecasteele, we’re living in challenging times. But, it’s for times like these we exist. With over 140 years of experience, we know there’s only one way : forward. Masters in diversification Vandecasteele Houtimport imports more than 130 different species of timber coming from 40 countries and has over 105,000 cubic meters in stock, mainly certified hard- and softwoods. Sustainability and reliability are an essential part of Vandecasteele Houtimport’s DNA. “We support the LKTS program of FSC® Denmark. With this we want to help promote the use of lesser known species. We keep these lesser-known species in stock and offer them as an alternative. Everybody is looking for alternatives for Siberian Larch since the ban on Russian imports. We have over 15 timber species that we can offer as alternatives, such as FSC® Certified Niové,, Movingui, Mukulungu, Tali, Padouk, Jutai, Angelim Amargosso,, Red Louro, Sucupira Preta, Sucupira Vermelho, Jatoba, Mandioquira, Cumaru, Basrolucus, Guariuba, Tatajuba, European Oak, Muiricatiara, Purpleheart, Louro Preto,… Too often, timber is prescribed from a specific well-known specie. From the point of view of responsible forest management, one must dare to choose the right durability class for an application instead of a specific type of timber, says Geneviève Standaert, export manager at Vandecasteele Houtimport. Rethink everything We notice a positive evolution in consumer purchasing behaviour says Geneviève Standaert, Export Manager at Vandecasteele. Customers are increasingly asking questions about certification and the origin of the timber. Buyers are becoming more and more aware of the need to use certified timber. “Importing tropical wood goes further than just asking for certified timber. There is a continuous evolution, because of new insights, new legislation, etc. Considerable steps have already been taken with the arrival of the EU Timber Regulation, but we can and should do better. “We want to see and monitor a stronger application and support for certified timber. The purchase of FSC® certified wood contributes to 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (or SDG’s) of the United Nations’. Since the year 2000 Vandecasteele Houtimport has committed itself through the Corporate Durability Charter by signing up to environmental objectives exceeding the applicable legislation. In 2018, the charter started a partnership with CIFAL Flanders, the local HUB of UNITAR, the Training and Education centre of the UN. In 2020, Vandecasteele Houtimport was the first timber company in the world to have obtained the international recognized ‘SDG Pioneer certificate’ from UNITAR CIFAL. This year, in 2022, we are the first timber company in the world to have achieved the SDG Champion award. genevieve@vandecasteele.be - www.vandecasteele.be

Choose life, Choose wood

Buying from a responsible supplier responsible supplier makes you a responsible customer. responsible customer.

Photo © Dieter Dejonghe

2025 – our aim is to trade in Certifi ed timber only from 2025 onwards Using timber tackles climate change

Using timber is good Using certifi ed timber is wonderful

Contact

Bergstraat 25 8511 Aalbeke België vandecasteele.be genevieve@vandecasteele.be +32 56 43 33 00 dave@vandecasteele.be +44 15 94 83 43 32

FLOORCONCEPTS

The Future @ your feet With over 20 years of experience in treatment and maintenance of wooden surfaces, you will not only have the future at your feet at Floorconcepts, but also the know-how and knowledge ! As an importer and distributor, we have tested and evaluated each and every one of our brands, to make sure we are offering brands that we support 100%. This matters not only to us, but to our customers as well : quality, reliability and efficiency are determining factors, as well as minimizing our ecological footstep … For decades, craftsmen have found their way to us: installation, renovation or maintenance of wooden floors, inside and outside : we are here to support them in any way and offer solutions for their specific challenges. Whether you need advice concerning the use of the correct glue, abrasives, finishing and maintenance products for wooden surfaces, Floorconcepts is there for you ! Floorconcepts is investing in the future : our new building validates this point of view : more storage space means more flexibility and faster service if necessary, this in service of the craftsmen and floor installers ! +32 (0) 59 339 440 - info@floorconcepts.eu - www.floorconcepts.eu

INVISIBLEPuraLignum

WOOD

PROTECTION

Extremely maü tt

Non-yelloü wing Fast-drü ying Durableü

LIGNUM PURA : Extremely matt, noncolouring, single-component wood and parquet lacquer with high resistance to wear. Sustainable water-based, biobased polyurethane.

BLACK LABEL BY

PROFESSIONAL FLOOR PRODUCTS

DEVOMAT INDUSTRIES

Devomat Industries was founded on 8 February 1980, and started developing the Woodboy® machine and related products. A system that quickly became a great success, with a brand name that has almost become a household name. Over the years, Devomat Industries has continued to develop and today mainly serves the professional market with a full range of primers, adhesives, oils, lacquers, maintenance products, machines, abrasives and accessories for parquet and plank- flooring. The core activity of Devomat Industries is the development and commercialisation of "Devo® - Professional Floor Products", a full range of machines, abrasives and products for the installation and finishing of parquet floors and the maintenance of all types of floors. Devo's main products are Lignum Pura: the invisible wood protection, High Solid Oil: a high performance single layer oil, Master 3D: the efficient 3-disc machine, and after 40 years still the Woodboy machine. Devomat has 14 employees at the head office for sales and distribution in Belgium. Recently, Devomat Industries launched the new parquet sanders Devo Belt MC 200 and Devo Speed XS 150 and XS 150. Technical innovations have been implemented on the Devo Master 3D. In 2018, Devo Turbo Fiberpad caused a shockwave in sanding materials country. At this moment the launch of a new groundbreaking invisible finishing product "Lignum Pura" has started. Export goes to the Netherlands, France, GH-Luxembourg, Germany, Romania, Latvia, and USA. +32 (0)3 450 94 70 - info@devomat.be - www.devomat.be - www.devonatural.be - www.woodboy.be

BONA

Bona’s head office is located in Malmö, Sweden and the company also has offices worldwide in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland), and the United States. Bona also has five production units worldwide. Bona has a committed and passionate team of over 500 employees, who aim ‘to bring out the best in floors’. Bona’s combination of experience, knowledge, and technology and its 17 international offices give you high performance and safe and sustainable solutions. Ever since Bona was formed in 1919, its central threads have been passion, performance, and pioneering. Those are their values and you will find them in all that they do, from their products and corporate culture to their sustainable method of work. It’s about more than just the way in which they run the company; it’s also about their interaction with the rest of the world. +32 (0) 2 72 12 759 - infobelgium@bona.com - www.bona.com - Facebook: Bona Professional Belgium

EUROSUGI - PRODUCT PROOF

Eurosugi = Cryptomeria japonica = Burnt wood from Europe In Japan, the Cryptomeria japonica (a very common tree species there) or Japanese cypress is used for Yakisugi (aka Shou Sugi Ban). In the past it was noticed that by burning the wood of this tree species, you obtained certain benefits. The wood became more durable, had a fire retardant effect and was more resistant to insects, water and even fungi. As a result, a lot was built with this wood, the lifespan of which went from 30 to even 80 to 100 years. The discovery that the Japanese cypress also occurs in Europe, accelerated our commercial efforts. Eurosugi is now available! As from August 2022, we are launching a new product under the name Eurosugi. The wood is imported and burned, processed and finished in Belgium. Eurosugi, which is 22 mm thick, is currently available in 2 lengths (3 meters and 2.6 meters) and 2 widths (190 mm and 40 mm) with rounded corners. If Eurosugi hits the bull's eye, a production unit will also be set up in the Netherlands. The wood is processed and finished Product-Proof recently invested in a second incinerator and a completely new coating line was launched. The investment in a brand new brushing machine for processing the wood is now a fact. All possible types of operations and finishes can be found on the website https://eurosugi.com Dealers wanted in Europe With Eurosugi, we will also make a stock product. This is important because we certainly have to be able to respond to demand for standard products in stock. Product-Proof wants to sell the wood through dealers throughout Europe. We therefore wish to list the dealers on the website https://eurosugi.com so that they can resell the product themselves in their region. info@product-proof.com - www.product-proof.com

OOSTERLINCK HOUT

A 100 % family owned and managed manufacturer of wooden floors for three generations. We know almost all about wood and process it to high quality parquets both solid and engineered. Situated in Belgium, the center of Western Europe, with a flexible and fast transport system to every corner of Europe. No obligation to order by full container but just in time deliveries of the neeeded quantity to meet the wishes of every individual customer. We have a fixed programm but can also propose any type of parquet (species, sizes, finishes…) on the condition that the wood is available or can be found on the market. We always have important stocks of rough sawn wood available in oak, walnut… and tropical species like Wengé, Iroko Kambala, Jatoba, Afzelia, Merbau… and mostly produce commision wise. More and more flooring buyers and distributors experience the difficullties which can occur when buying overseas, expecially from China. The Covid crises and the protests of the people against the undemocratic system, causes high problems and delays in shipments. Moreover the Chines productions are not cheap anymore and top oak grades like Prime, Bis (small knots) and the top-Character/Rustic grade A have become very difficult to get and if available, are sold at prices sometimes higher than ours. They can also oblige you to add some lower grades to obtain the higher ones. Claims remain unsolved and you get no money back. So contact us by mail, phone or contact/visit us personally because we love discussing with people face to face. N - F -  - D… contact us without obligation. We speak Dutch, French, German and English. +32 (0) 51 65 75 41 - sales@oosterlinck-hout.be - www.oosterlinck-hout.be

Oosterlinck

Manufacturer of solid and engineered fl ooring in oak, walnut and exotic species

EXOTIC Collection | Wenge

wooden floors

Oosterlinck nv Schaapsdreef 8B B-8750 Wingene Tel. 0032 51 65 75 41 info@oosterlinck-hout.be

www.oosterlinck-hout.be

RUBIO MONOCOAT: BIG AT HOME AND ABROAD

Rubio Monocoat is known as a brand with a wide choice of products for wood protection. For colours there are endless options as well. The ‘King of Colours’ became big thanks to the revolutionary technology of molecular binding. Today, the Rubio Monocoat family covers more than 82 countries, with YOUR PARTNER IN WOOD PROTECTION around 250 employees worldwide. Meanwhile, more than 80,000,000 m² of wood is protected and colored with Rubio Monocoat oil every year. Rubio Monocoat offers lots of products for interior, exterior and the industry. The range has been expanded over the years including optional pre-colours and a complete range of maintenance and cleaning products. The top product of the pioneer remains Oil Plus 2C, a still unprecedented oil that colors and protects your interior wood in one single layer. Thanks to the advanced and unique technology of molecular binding, Rubio Monocoat oil guarantees sustainable protection that doesn’t harm the environment and its users (0% VOC), and this in 40 standard colours. In addition, the wood oil Hybrid Wood Protector (20 colours) and the wax cream WoodCream (27 colours) are the perfect example of innovation and quality for protecting your exterior wood. In need of the right tips & tricks? Or looking for inspiration for your next project? Then be sure to follow our social media channels through @rubiomonocoat or visit our website www.rubiomonocoat.com. +32 (0) 51 30 80 54 - info@rubiomonocoat.com

KERKHOFS PARKET

Kerkhofs Parket traces its history back to 1993 when just two people did the production. Today, the team comprises 17 people and their capacity is 220,000m² per annum. They can call upon a strong European network based mainly in England and the Netherlands. Kerkhofs Parket manufactures only solid parquet floors. They specialise in producing customised floors or ‘Bespoke Flooring’. Think here of herringbone, Hungarian point, or Viennese point and a huge variety of style panels like Versailles and Chantilly. The most renowned parquet floors are Burgundy, which is 8/9mm thick, and classic Tapis (traditional parquet), with a thickness of 6mm. In addition, Kerkhofs Parket also has a wide range of multilayer wooden floors in various patterns and mosaics. You can also contact them for glues, oils and lacquers of various brands. +32 11 63 64 00 - info@parketkerkhofs.be - www.parketkerkhofs.be

OUTDOOR WOOD CONCEPTS®

Woodface®, original façade solutions from Outdoor Wood Concepts® Outdoor Wood Concepts® launched its Woodface® façade cladding on the market in 2014. This unique solution, in which wood is alternated with aluminium, allows for infinite combinations. Woodface® owes its timeless appeal to designer Roel Vandebeek - #itsaroel. Woodface® was conferred a Henry van de Velde label in 2014 and selected by Designregio Kortrijk as one of the region’s 50 most innovative products. Thanks to Woodface®, every façade is given a distinct #itsaroel stamp: - A pronounced vertical interplay of lines - A sense of rhythm and texture thanks to the pattern created by alternating differently shaped wooden profiles - A distinctive contrast between wood and aluminium

The benefits of Woodface® in a nutshell: - A unique combination of 9 wooden and 2 aluminium profiles - Infinite combinations in diverse types of wood - Available in all RAL colours, Qualicoat Seaside finish possible - Technical construction details available - Fire safety rating: D-s2,d0 or B-s2,d0 If you have a concrete project or technical questions, do not hesitate to send an email to info@outdoorwoodconcepts.be or give us a call on +32 (0)56 - 967140 - www.outdoorwoodconcepts.be